POWERFUL disruptive technology and futuristic business models are set to change the entrepreneurship landscape for a new era of innovative trade.

In the digital world, startups are facing an ultimatum: to embrace technological advancement or risk being out of business.

Entrepreneurs need a progressive and strong mindset to look into new ways to rise up from existing business challenges.

The MaGIC Academy Symposium (MA2017) is back this year with “Disruptive Entrepreneurship” as the theme for aspiring entrepreneurs to tap and predict emerging market trends, build valuable networks and seek guidance from experts.

The event will be held at MaGIC in Cyberjaya from Oct 4 - 7.

The impressive line-up of speakers for the event comprises executives from international and regional startups including MindValley, Techladies, MAD Group, Katsana, and Servishero.

Champions of disruptive technology from IDEO, Pinterest, CoinGecko, Carousell and Tinder as well as representatives from government-linked companies like SAP-Malaysia will also be onstage to speak to the visitors.

The anticipated event for startups, which is now in its fourth installment since 2014, will gather all players in the ecosystem from Malaysia and the region.

There will also be participants comprising social entrepreneurs, investors, corporate sector, business enthusiasts and students in the field.

Four main focus areas under this theme include problem solving, identifying opportunities for growth, building a sustainable business and trend prediction, as well as talent development.

MaGIC has often been supportive of budding entrepreneurs at all stages of development. It helps to realise the idea for their business venture, improving on creativity and innovation as well as growing their current business.

To further leverage on experience in the business world, entrepreneurs will be referred to renowned experts in the global entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The participants of diverse background add to uniqueness of the four-day event as they are able to combine intellectual prowess and brilliant ideas for fruitful discussions. Existing and new entrepreneurs are very much welcomed to the event.

MA2017 will end on the fourth day, 7th October 2017 with one of the biggest startup career fair in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. This is a platform for job-seekers to prepare for upcoming interviews and meet with potential employers.

The event has successfully helped 1,000 job-seekers to link with more than 100 startups during the event last year.

Job-seekers will be groomed via special courses on resume writing, as well as to prepare referral letter and job interviews.

For this year's career fair, MA2017 will collaborate with StartUpJobs and Talentvis. Some of the big startups that will be exhibiting during the career fair are Zalora, Fave, Shoppee, Shoppr, GoCar Malaysia and many more.